Hard Rock Cafe in Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal could close

A notice filed Wednesday morning with the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and obtained by the Press of Atlantic City, announced the plans to layoff a more than 70 workers and close by April 22, according to the report. The reason for the filing cites Trump Entertainment Resorts' bankruptcy, which occurred late last year amid other Atlantic City casinos folding. Hard Rock International said they plan to operate the location through the balance of its lease. The company will not close the location unless the Taj Mahal closes.

The WARN Act notices -which provide employees with appropriate advance notice of possible closures - were issued in case the Taj Mahal bankruptcy plan is not approved, resulting in the casino's closure.

"Since opening its doors in 1996, the brand has been and continues to be committed to Atlantic City and brand expansion within New Jersey," the company said in an emailed statement. Though the Taj Mahal survived the mass closings and layoffs of 2014, it remained open thanks to a US$ 20 million cash infusion by billionaire investor Carl Ichan, who plans to take control over the casino.

"Even though I believe that Atlantic City will be great again someday, many people would still argue that it would be a better financial decision for me to let the Taj close," Icahn wrote at the time in a letter to Trump Entertainment Resorts' chief executive officer while awaiting settlement "But I cannot be so callous as to let 3,000 hardworking people lose their jobs."

The restaurant last fall attempted to get a bankruptcy court to "force the casino to say whether or not it will honor its lease," the Associated Press notes. Donald Trump is no longer associated with the casinos and has been attempting to have his name removed from the properties.

The property, located at 1000 Boardwalk and Virginia Avenue, was established in late 1996, according to the business' website. Additional Hard Rock Cafe locations include Philadelphia, Delaware and New York City.